Gwydion

In bottle: Cocoa powder sweetened by marshmallow. The chocolate reminds me rather of Sue's Great Old Puppet Show. Wet: strongly cocoa dominant, but the marshmalow comes out a littl more on the skin. There's also a touch of something herbal that may have tracked in from the puddles. This is a perfectly nice cocoa scent, but I would have liked more marshmallow personally, though time and warmth soon rectify that. Dry: Chocolate and marshmallow.

In bottle: This one is really interesting. It's green and sharp and subtly floral. The mosses in this do not smell standard. They dance around the central wood note that grounds the scent, attracting all the attention. It's like a West coast, Wintery May pole, if the mosses are the dancers. Wet: It is stormier and muddier on the skin. The sharpness of the ozone enhances the qualities of the moss, while the kiss of salt lends a piquant. The oak is not showy, but an ubiquitous underpining to moss and sea and sky. This really does beautifully capture its concept. It really is a scent poem about a stormy day on the coast in that sort of forest in Winter. My skin can be difficult with sea and ozones, and this still just manages to work. Dry: Delightful woods and sea spray.

#99 In bottle: Very sharply green. I'm guessing cedar dominant, with mixed forest around it, since there is a richness to the woods suggesting multiple trees. There is a cool softness underneath that makes me think of stone in winter. Wet: More pine to it than in the bottle and the whole thing is gentler and smoother. It really does smell like mixed forest in winter, as there are deciduous woods in there but no hint of leaves. The sublt cold granite feel lingers also and a hint of something herbal tangles with the hint of camphor. I like this much better on the skin than in the bottle, but the camphor still troubles me. Dry: Alas! Mostly camphorous wood.

In bottle: Honey sweetened milk dominant with strong musk. The rice flower gives it a gentle floral touch and plays very well with the milk. Luckily not goaty. It's more young girl, clean and fresh and innocent. It's truly lovely and a vaguely floral cousin to Boo. Wet: Less milky and more musk and honey, but milk remains a strong presence. I like it, but it is too young on me. Dry: I'd swear there was tonka in there, possibly in the milk accord. Musk dominent with with the tonka like thing second strongest, with a bit of honey.

In bottle: Very sweet. Dorian dominant, but Snake Oil is strong and they turn out to play really well together. I'd call honey a close third, with vanilla and cotton candy support. The carnation is delicate, but distinct and plays well with others. Wet: much as in bottle, though the balance shifts a little more towards Dorian and Snake Oil. Also, the carnation is stronger. It's gorgeous, and remains very foodie. It's likely a bit too pink for me, but would be lovely on a woman. Dry: Fresh Snake Oil comingled with Dorian, haunted by a kiss of sweetness.

In bottle: Leather and suede dominant with amber support. Almond with tonka support lends it an unexpected sweetness. Wet: Leather dominant, but almond and tonka give it stiff competition. The amber forms a bridge. This may be too sharp a leather for me, but we'll see. Dry: the leather accord breaks down a bit, but the scent reatains some leather. the sharpness softens so it's more suede than fresh leather. The amber lends a kiss of sexuality. The sweetness lingers but loses it's distinctness.

In bottle: Lavender dominant with strong Autumn leaves accord. there is either mint or penny royal in there somewhere, I am guessing, likely as part of the accord. The result is too strong for me, so no skin test.

#243 In bottle: Possibly chamomile. Possibly lemongrass. Vanilla and sugar at a base. I am pretty sure there is poppy and possibly something else herbal. Wet: Not chamomile after all for which I am grateful as my skin chemistry does terrible things with it. It is now strongly pomegranate and I'm thinking red autumn berries. It's not too sweet, though it still smells of sugar. I'm picking up a touch of poppy still and that vaguely citrus herbal edge I'm still thinking might contain lemon grass and clearly something else I can't identify. The possibly lemongrass or rind and an herb holds firm as the more volatile bits wear away This is pleasingly red and Autumnal. Dry: Pomegranate and lemongrass.

#44 In bottle: Very delicate and hard to pin down. Lavender fougere dominant, with a floral in the lavender and lilac range layered over it. I can swear to the lavender in the fougere, but not to the second floral. It goes very well with the fougere. There it a delicate spice, possibly a citrus, and something giving it depth, possibly amber or amberette. It's mostly about the androgynous florals though. Wet: Strongly Lime over lavender fougere. Not nearly as floral at first, though the florals rise to support lavender. I am still having trouble pining down what flower it is , but am suspecting it's something I have no chance of guessing like honeysuckle or daisy. There is still a sweetness and a sexiness that could be amber or amberette, that supports the fougere beautifully, and rises as it wears. The lime backs down to dance with that hint of spice. This is absolutely lovely, likely a little too delicate for my skin chemistry, but sublime. It slowly evolves towards a floral supported by probably Amberette and possibly a touch of honey with he soft fougere as a canvas. Dry: Floral and amber or Amberette over fougere fading eventually to lavender fougere.

In bottle: Pure apple heaven! Apple dominant, with delicious black tea in second. The tobacco is excellent support for the apple, while giving it a naughty air. The honey adds a touch of the wicked. I'm in love. Wet: Strongly apple dominant, soft tobacco and honey support. Delicate whiff of tea. Dry: mostly apple and a bit of honey.

In bottle: Surprisingly circus peanut and bubblegum like in the bottle. I think it's an accidental accord of the almond and whatever incense is in there. Wet: Now it's more cherry blow pop. I'm wondering if this decant is mislabeled. it is quite incensey and... maybe a touch rubber and leather accord on the dry down. I don't know. This is nothing like I expected. It's quite pleasant, but not almond fortune cookie like at all. Dry: It really does turn into an unusual and pleasant insense, but the notes are two strange to guess at.

In bottle: Lavender dominant, with beautifully blended blackberry and bergamot support. The musk goes well with the dominant cabal while holding it's own. The rosemary gives it bite. Wet: The blackberry is stronger on the skin, displacing the musk as second strongest power and nearly overtaking the lavender. The Blackberry and lavender are gorgeous together and the bergamot bridges them. The musk fades into the main cabal a bit, but retains it's beauty. Rosemary remains understated but gives a pleasant counterpoint. Dry: lavender and bergamot mostly.

In Bottle: I'm getting what I assume is an accidental ocean accord. I'm thinking the green musk is dominant with strong tobacco support. The sandalwood elides the musk and tobacco and the smoke from the smoked vanilla. The smoke is really intense with the green musk. I suspect this will be too musk musk given my natural scent and tendancy to amp musk. It does smell very green dragon though. Wet: So much prettier on the skin. I lose the accidental accord that was overwhelming me. It's a lovely crisp green scent. The sandalwood pops on the skin, and proves to be a lovely partner to the dominent green musk. The tobacco and smoked vanilla are soft, but give the green dragon and appropriately smokey feel. This works in a way I would not have guessed from the bottle. Dry: Very, v ery men's cologne/aftershave. It's really mostly green musk with a bit of aftershave.

Gourmand #273 In Bottle: (NB: They mowed today, so my nose is not at it's best.) Gingerbread accord dominant, but much smoother and sweeter. I'm thinking there's a cream note, and a soft musk, and maybe some extra vanilla and/or sugar. It's a sexy, perfumey gingerbread, if that makes sense. Wet: Strongly gingerbread dominant, with a strong whipped cream second, likely musk, and something ridiculously familiar that I can't put my finger on. it's less perfumey and musky on my skin, though still and sexy. There might be incense. I like it. it's significantly less foody than my other gingerbreads, and that touch of incense or whatever it is really adds a new dimension. Dry: Ginger and cinnamon and maybe a touch of clove. Cinnamon and maybe clove! That's what was blending in with the whipped cream!

In Bottle: Foresty and camphorous is no lie! A medley of evergreens are dominant. I'm guessing pine as the strongest note, and caphor and possibly cedar in support. This is too intense for me, which is a shame as it is gorgeous. No skin test. Woods #100

In bottle: Vanilla dominant, and it really is a blackened and smokey sort of vanilla. I don't see musk listed, but it smells very musky. The clove is strong support to the vanilla with a softer touch of cinnamon. Beeswax is understated and smooth as it generally is. I am wondering if the musk isn't an accidental accord between the something in the beeswax and the blackened and smoked bits of the vanilla. Either way, it's a sexy vanilla spice scent. Wet: The beeswax pops more on the skin and the musk effect softens. The smoky vanilla goes well with beeswax candle. The spices are gentle, but utterly lovely. I am now wondering if there isn't a bit of sandalwood and anise, possibly in the wax accords. I like it, though it is more delicate and way less androgynous than I imagined. Dry: As it wears the spice reemerges. It is this lovely, spicy vanilla with a hint in incense.

The issue with Crypt Queen is it's so complicated and does this slow unfolding of it's scent poem. it's going to be really hard to match. How many blends have nitre for example?

SHADOWS OF WHAT MAY BE The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come conveyed him, as before—though at a different time, he thought: indeed, there seemed no order in these latter visions, save that they were in the Future—into the resorts of business men, but showed him not himself. Indeed, the Spirit 82did not stay for anything, but went straight on, as to the end just now desired, until besought by Scrooge to tarry for a moment. “This court,” said Scrooge, “through which we hurry now, is where my place of occupation is, and has been for a length of time. I see the house. Let me behold what I shall be, in days to come!” The Spirit stopped; the hand was pointed elsewhere. “The house is yonder,” Scrooge exclaimed. “Why do you point away?” The inexorable finger underwent no change. Scrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. It was an office still, but not his. The furniture was not the same, and the figure in the chair was not himself. The Phantom pointed as before. He joined it once again, and wondering why and whither he had gone, accompanied it until they reached an iron gate. He paused to look round before entering. A churchyard. Here, then; the wretched man whose name he had now to learn, lay underneath the ground. It was a worthy place. Walled in by houses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation’s death, not life; choked up with too much burying; fat with repleted appetite. A worthy place! The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced towards it trembling. The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he dreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape. “Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?” Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood. “Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!” The Spirit was immovable as ever. Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, Ebenezer Scrooge. A deserted, dismal grave: upturned earth, overgrown grass, and dead weeds. In bottle: They aren’t kidding. Rich, damp loam with a mix of grass and weeds. It’s exactly as promised strong, sharp, viscous. I love this. Wet: The weeds get more interesting and complex, while the loam comes fully into it’s own. If you like dirt note scents, this would be a must have. There is a hint of something smokey in the greenery that emerges as it warms. Dry: Dirst and dried greenery. Mmmmm…. Nice.

In bottle: This is not the bright fresh apricot of something like pandy. This is rather heavier and a bit old fashioned. Apricot mildly dominant, with strong vanilla support and a cardamom edge. Wet: The apricot is much better on the skin. It is brighter and as the cardamom separates out better, everything reads less muddily. It’s now cardamom dominant with strong apricot support and a bit of soft vanilla to tie them together. I admit to be disappointed by the bottle scent, and this is not the March Hare cousin I was hoping for, but I love cardamom and this is the strongest cardamom I’ve smelled in a BPAL blend, so this is valuable for that. As it warms, the cardamom calms down a little and the apricot reasserts itself until the apricot and cardamom find a good balance. Dry: Vaguely vanilla apricot.

In bottle: Peach dominant, supported by fragments of pumpkin accord. The clove and nutmeg are distant and lovely with the peach. Wet: The pumpkin reforms on the skin, though the peach stays mildly dominant. The spices are softer. It’s absolutely lovely and beautifully blended, but not much as expected, because of the strength of the peaches. I generally don’t do well with pumpkin, but it goes so beautifully with the peach it actually works. Dry: Mostly peach, with a touch of spice.

MILK CHOCOLATE WITH MACADAMIA NUT, COCONUT, BUTTOM MUSHROOM, AND MARSHMALLOW In bottle: Coconut dominant with strong chocolate and marshmallow support. The mushroom is a sharp, strong, slightly acrid, and savory counterpoint to the sweetness. The nuts are understated but pleasant. Wet: More chocolate on the skin. Chocolate dominant with strong coconut and marshmallow support, with the coconut stronger than the marshmallow. The mushroom stays strong and honestly a bit disturbing. The nuts are still soft, but a bit stronger on the skin and supporting the sweeter elements. I’m not sure I like this as the mushrooms are a bit finger nails on chalk board for me, though as the scent wears, they settle down and start playing with the other elements instead of fighting them. Dry: Mostly coconut, with some marshmallow and the mushroom threaded through. The milk chocolate haunts the scent. It really is pretty, but I’d have liked it better without mushroom.

Maybe Nyx? Similar notes... . Perhaps Depraved or Ravenous? They smell similar. You may have to layer to get the clove... Ravenous is orange blossom and patchouli. I find the strong patchouli in ddepraved muddies the apricot. I like the brightness of March hare's apricot, unfortuneateely. They were kind suggestions. I think some people compared Aristocratic Couple to March Hare (personally, have never smelled either). It's LE and not up anymore, but recent enough i bet a lot of people have it. I missed it and have been searching desperately fopr a bottle. People are hanging on to them tight, I think.

Maggoty with subterraneous evil: the scent of creeping deep green mosses, sweet rot, lantern oil, and sinuous incense drifting over dripping stone blocks, mushroom-moist soil, and crumbling mortar. In bottle: Rather disturbing. The moss and rot pop first, but the soil quickly steps in as support of both, with stone and mortar gently tingeing it. The Lantern oil gives the rot a chemical tinge. The rot becomes dominant quickly, though the moss stays strong. Given enough time, the unsettlingly sweet rot backs off, letting the moss shine.

Are they selling it in bottles yet?

In bottle: Peach and champaca dominant. The sandalwood is strong and gives them a dusty feel. The white tea is a fundamental underpinning. I am not sure this is for me, but I am fascinated. Wet: I can think of nothing like this. The Champaca and white tea do this fascinating thing with each other, while the peach grounds their dance. The sandalwood plays much better with the other elements on the skin, lending the peach body, even as the peach softens the sandalwood and hydrates it. This would be lovely on a young woman. It is a bit weird on me, but that isn’t the blend’s fault. Dry: Sandalwood and shreds of peach accord.